Theories:Items

This article will archive all of the published and fan theories that exist for items on Heroes.

For help on adding theories, see the Help section.

The Company's guns

Theory	Citations	Notes
The phony exterminator was working for Mr. Bennet. That's why he has the same gun Eden and Mr. Bennet both use.	The exterminator's gun (Don't Look Back) is customized identically to Mr. Bennet's (Hiros) and Eden's (Fallout).
The gun given to Isaac from Mr. Bennet is the same gun found next to Isaac when Hiro travels in the future and finds Isaac on the floor dead with the top of his skull removed	None.	If this is true, all the events that are unfolding are inevitably going to lead up to the same events that happened when Hiro traveled into the future the first time, meaning Sylar would have caught up to Isaac and stolen Isaac's power of precognition. Therefore, it is implied that the future Sylar could have already seen everything that was going to happen, but the effects of that are unknown

Exploding Man (painting)

Theory	Citations	Notes
The painting does not depict Peter absorbing Ted's radiation power and exploding. The painting instead shows Peter absorbing Meredith's power of pyrokinesis. Thus, the painting is accurate, yet Peter does not cause the explosion.	None	In Peter's visions, he has not yet been shown burning quite as clearly or completely as the figure in the painting. However, the effects of the explosion in his vision are otherwise very similar to the painting.
The person who is exploding is in control of their powers.	None	The look in the eyes and position of the head is not the same as that of Peter exploding in his visions. Also the positioning of the face and arms is that of someone who knows how to move energy—possibly Ted Sprague or a new evolved human. The easter egg that was in Fathers & Daughters was this painting. It was labeled "Energy Man". In Distractions, Isaac tells Simone he has seen what Peter can do, referring to the explosion.

Hiro's sword

Theory	Citations	Notes
Future Hiro has come from an apocalyptic future where one needs a sword to defend oneself.	None	Based on Isaac's painting, it appears he'll get the sword long before any apocalypse
Since a gun would be completely useless if time were frozen, he uses the sword to defeat enemies.	None	Hiro can move objects when time is stopped, but there's no evidence he can allow objects (like bullets) to move of their own accord.
Hiro uses the sword to channel his powers.	Hiro claims that having the sword will give him greater control of his power. (Godsend)	The veracity of Hiro's belief is not yet known, but if Hiro's powers are wavering due to his shaken self-confidence, as Joe Pokaski and Aron Coleite have implied, it's possible that his belief that the sword will focus his powers will be enough to do the trick.
Some evolved humans, such as those with Claire's regeneration ability, might have to be decapitated to be killed, as in the "Highlander" mythos, particularly Sylar.	Until the tree branch is pulled out of Claire's head by the coroner, Claire's regeneration does not function. (Collision)
Hiro thinks having a sword would be cool.	He says "I had a sword? Cool!" (Better Halves)	While true, he first becomes interested in actually getting the sword after seeing Isaac's painting of his encounter with the dinosaur. (Fallout)
Hiro's sword is a reference to Nightcrawler, a Marvel Comics character who possesses teleporting superpowers and uses a sword. Hiro is a member of the Marvel Merry Marching Society.	None	This is as or more likely a coincidence than a rationale on Hiro's part.
Hiro's sword is actually a reference to Hiro Protagonist, a character in Neal Stephenson's book Snowcrash who also dressed in black.	None	This might be a coincidence.
With the sword, he will be a deadly adversary, since he will be able to stop time, attack his adversaries while they are helpless, then allow time to resume so that they will feel the effects of the wounds. It is hard to imagine how anyone will be able to defeat Hiro if he has enough warning to use his power to control time.	When Hiro "stops time", he can still interact with people and objects that are "frozen". (Don't Look Back)	This may be significant regarding Sylar's apparent resistance to bullets. The sword may be instrumental in defeating Sylar if/when the explanation behind his "bulletproof" nature is further explained.
The sword will come in useful on Hiro's predicted trip back in time where he must confront a dinosaur.	None	Hiro expresses grave concern over making significant alterations to history such as with stepping on a bug. He may consider this reasoning as well for using a sword (aside from fulfilling Isaac's painting vision and Peter's report of meeting future Hiro carrying a sword. Part of the motivation could be Hiro needing weapons as defense and not wanting to bring back firearms which could leave bullets or casings in the fossil record potentially altering discoveries in paleontology. (This presumes he succeeds in eventually leaving that time and doesn't become part of the fossil record himself, along with his sword.) However, since Hiro already encountered a dinosaur in the present at the Museum of Natural History, it's not clear that he will necessarily be encountering another.
Future Hiro may come from a very bad future in which he felt compelled to go back to the past and risk a rift in time to try and change the future in which he exists. This future is probably post-apocalyptic and low-tech weapons may be the norm. Now that he has changed the past he might have set things in motion that may eliminate this future Hiro and his bad experiences that made him so serious and hard.	Future Hiro comments that he is risking a rift just talking to Peter. (Collision)	Hiro is trying to obtain the sword in the present, meaning he will likely have it long before any coming apocalypse.
The sword isn't for Hiro, it's for Niki. The sword will allow her two sides to be integrated and bring balance to her personality, giving her full access to her power.	None	Takezo Kensei, the samurai that originally possessed the sword was feared by everyone because he was brutal and powerful, just like Jessica. However, if the sword is meant for Niki, it's not meant for her for another 5 years, at a minimum, as Future Hiro possessed the sword when he met with Peter.
The Sinner Made Sword Saint Theory : The sword belonged to Future Hiro, but in this present it is meant for Sylar. His uncontrolled power and oppressive childhood combined together are what were turning him into a psychopath. With the sword he gains control over both and becomes sane again and tries to atone for his murderous rampage, and at some point before he gains full control of himself is transported to Feudal Japan.	None	The beginning of the story of the ancient wielder of the sword, Takezo Kensei, sounds more like Sylar than Hiro. However, this would require Sylar to either acquire Hiro's ability to bend time and space or Peter's ability to mimic the powers of others, and the depictions of Takezo Kensei also resemble Hiro more than they resemble Sylar.
The sword was Hiro's. Future Hiro traveled back in time and was known as Takezo Kensei.	The painting of Takezo Kensei bears a distinct resemblance to Future Hiro. Both have long hair and a soulpatch. (Godsend)	This is a corollary of a previous theory.
Despite his encounter in the Museum of Natural History, Hiro will face a real dinosaur once he gets the sword.	In Isaac's painting, it looks as Hiro is facing the dinosaur with a naked blade. (Fallout) In the museum, when Hiro faced off against the statue, the sword was still in its scabbard. (Godsend)	In a recent interview, writers defended the scene as not being a "cheat" - Isaac painted Hiro swinging a sword at a dinosaur, which was shown in the next episode. Also, the dinosaur painting was Isaac's first without the aid of heroin. His art may not be as precise/accurate as he develops his ability without using drugs.
The sword was never really needed for Hiro to use his powers. It's merely the placebo effect which seems to restore his powers.	Although Hiro believes his powers are depleted, in a moment of stress he's able to reverse time relative to Hope's bullet, a feat he hadn't accomplished before even when his powers were at full strength. (Unexpected)	Hiro's waning powers were more of a "mind over matter" concept, as he was losing faith in himself, but when he saw the sword and the story attached to it, his faith fell on the sword, not himself. When he obtained the sword, his faith returned and he was able to use his power.

The list

Theory	Citations	Notes
Mr. Bennet and the AWI/OWI is using a copy of the List.	Sylar had a detailed copy of the Map, and thus probably a copy of the List. Mohinder and Eden discovered it while investigating Patient Zero. Eden, unbeknownst to Mohinder, was actually an agent of Mr. Bennet and the AWI. Before the authorities arrived the contents of the apartment, including the map, vanished. (One Giant Leap) Mr. Bennet has located some of the evolved humans on the list, notably Nathan Petrelli (Collision) and Matt Parkman (One Giant Leap)	Sylar had a possibly more up-to-date copy of the map and the List, including many and possibly all of the people from Chandra's copy of The List. Apparently Sylar no longer has access to it, so the AWI probably has it. However, the AWI predates Chandra's research, so if Mr. Bennet is using it, it's a recent development. Perhaps prior to Suresh's list, the AWI was merely stumbling across the special people. With the list they could target them far from home where time off wouldn't be missed. Bennet is at least aware of the list but has as much as admitted he does not have a copy of it: he asks Mohinder if he's on the list. If he had the list, he'd already know the answer. (Godsend)
Felipe Acerra, not Gabriel Gray, is Patient Zero.	Felipe is the first name listed on the list. (Homecoming)	There is no clear evidence that the list is in any particular order. Mohinder has referred to his father's belief that Sylar was Patient Zero multiple times. (Don't Look Back, Parasite) Chandra assembled the list, so he would presumably know that Felipe was "Patient Zero" if his appearance as the first listed had any significance.

Lonestar File

Theory	Citations	Notes
The file name of the Lonestar File, SEA:V5J1K2/P/L, contains coded information	None	The events described in the file take place in Vietnam. "SEA:V" could refer to "South East Asia:Vietnam". The remaining characters could describe the soldiers, the mission, or the location. In particular, some have hypothesized the "/P/L" refers to Petrelli and Linderman, though there is currently no evidence to support such a hypothesis. If the letters do refer to the soldiers, "V", "J", and "K" could represent Amarillo, Loredo, and San Antonio, and the numbers some sort of status code. If "P" and "L" represent Dallas and Austin, the separation and lack of a code number could refer to the fact that they survived the mission.

Mohinder's taxi license

Theory	Citations	Notes
Mohinder's taxi license is a fake.	None	To acquire such a license in the 36 hours the show leaves him is impossible, and it expires on February 30, 2007. February only has 28 days in 2007...and never has 30 days. The Chelsea Cab Company boss appeared desperate to hire somebody.

Ted's email

Theory	Citations	Notes
Hana is going to see Theodore Sprague so they can both get revenge on Mr. Bennet.	On the document Hana is reading in her hand, the name "TeddyBear" can be seen at the top. (Wireless, Part 4) Karen Sprague's nickname for her husband was Teddy Bear. (Nothing to Hide)	Since they both have the marks on their necks, that means Mr. Bennet had gotten to them both already and tagged them with the radioactive isotope. Hana will get revenge for being used, and Ted will get revenge for his powers becoming out of control and resulting in the death of his wife. The graphic novel How Do You Stop an Exploding Man?, Part 1 confirms that TEDDYBEAR616 is Theodore Sprague's chat username.